Black codes are a set of laws that were enacted in the United States during the Reconstruction era, which followed the Civil War. These laws were designed to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans, who had recently been freed from slavery. The black codes were enacted by state governments in the South and were aimed at maintaining white supremacy and control over the black population. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of black codes.
Definitions
Black codes were a series of laws that were enacted in the Southern states of the United States after the Civil War. These laws were designed to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans, who had recently been freed from slavery. The black codes included provisions that prohibited African Americans from owning property, voting, serving on juries, and even traveling without a permit.
Origin
The black codes were enacted in the late 1860s and early 1870s, during the Reconstruction era. This period followed the Civil War and was marked by efforts to rebuild the South and integrate African Americans into society. However, many white Southerners were opposed to these efforts and sought to maintain their dominance over the black population. The black codes were one of the ways in which they attempted to do so.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to Merriam-Webster, black codes are “laws enacted in the Southern states of the US after the Civil War to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines black codes as “laws passed in the Southern states of the US after the Civil War, which aimed at restricting the rights of African Americans and maintaining white supremacy.”
Associations
The black codes are associated with the Reconstruction era and the struggle for civil rights in the United States. They are also associated with the legacy of slavery and the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the country.
Synonyms
Synonyms for black codes include Jim Crow laws, segregation laws, and discriminatory laws.
Antonyms
Antonyms for black codes include civil rights laws, equal protection laws, and anti-discrimination laws.
The same root words
The root words of black codes are “black” and “codes.” “Black” refers to African Americans, while “codes” refers to the set of laws and regulations that were enacted to restrict their rights and freedoms.
Example Sentences
- The black codes were designed to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans.
- The black codes were enacted by state governments in the South.
- The black codes were one of the ways in which white Southerners sought to maintain their dominance over the black population.
- The black codes were eventually overturned by the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.
- The legacy of the black codes can still be seen in the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States.